Minimum emission closed loop sampling system for transportable containers

Abstract

Closed loop sampling system using quick-connects dramatically reduces emission of sampled hydrocarbons and other fluids to the atmosphere.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sampling system for sampling fluids with minimal hand operations and with minimum atmospheric contamination, said system comprising in combination: A. transportable container means for containing samples having provision for flowing fluids through said container means, and comprising an inlet valve and an outlet valve mounted on substantially opposite portions of said container means;   B. quick connect means connected to said inlet valve and said outlet valve;   C. two three-position valves having quick-connect means to mate with said quick-connect means mounted on said inlet and said outlet valve, said three-position valves being alternately configured to a sample mode in which a fluid sample flows through said container, a venting mode in which volumes leading to said container means from the source of said fluid to be sampled are vented to suitable disposal means for receiving vented fluid, and a shut-off mode in which flow is blocked through said three-way valves; and wherein said quick-connect means communicating with said three-way valves are mounted on a panel and wherein said three-way valves have handles which extend through another position on said panel, whereby said quick-connect means on said inlet and said outlet valve of said transportable container means can be simultaneously bayoneted into said quick-connect means on said panel.     
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said quick-connect means are self-closing and have low interior volume. 
     
     
       3. A process according to claim 1, wherein said inlet valve and said outlet valve are right-angle valves which point in the same direction. 
     
     
       4. A process according to claim 3, wherein said quick-connect means mounted in communication with said three-way valves are spaced apart and are arranged geometrically so as to simultaneously engage the respective quick-connect means on said transportable container means. 
     
     
       5. Pressure indicating means positioned to indicate pressure and flow through at least one mated pair of quick-connect means. 
     
     
       6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said fluids comprise liquids. 
     
     
       7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said fluids comprise gases. 
     
     
       8. In a sampling apparatus for sampling fluids with minimal hand operations and with minimum atmospheric contamination, said system comprising transportable container means having provision for flowing fluids through said container means, and comprising an inlet valve and an outlet valve mounted on substantially opposite portions of said container means and quick connect valve means connected to said inlet valve and said outlet valve; the improvement characterized by comprising in combination: two three-position valves having self-closing quick-connect means having low interior volume and having to mate with said quick-connect valve means mounted on said inlet and said outlet valve, said three-position valves being alternately configured to a sample mode in which a fluid sample flows through said container means, a venting mode in which volumes leading to said container means from the source of said fluid to be sampled are vented to suitable disposal means for receiving vented fluid, and a shut-off mode in which flow is blocked through said three-way valves.   
     
     
       9. In a sampling apparatus for sampling fluids with minimal hand operations and with minimum atmospheric contamination, said system comprising transportable container means having provision for flowing fluids through said container means, and comprising an inlet valve and an outlet valve mounted on substantially opposite portions of said container means and quick connect valve means connected to said inlet valve and said outlet valve; the improvement characterized by comprising in combination: two three-position valves having self-closing quick-connect means having low interior volume and having to mate with said quick-connect value means mounted on said inlet and said outlet valve, said three-position valves being alternately configured to a sample mode in which a fluid sample flows through said container means, a venting mode in which volumes leading to said container means from the source of said fluid to be sampled are vented to suitable disposal means for receiving vented fluid, and a shut-off mode in which flow is blocked through said three-way valves; and   wherein said container means is equipped with an outage tube.